Do I Want To Get A Sheaffer Prelude?

[MadAsAHatter]

Twist my arm and force me to buy another fountain pen. Just wondering what everyone's current opinion on the Sheaffer Prelude are and if +/- $50 is an average price?

Edited June 9, 2020 by MadAsAHatter

[Parker51]

I have a few of them. They write well and are not too expensive.

 

And, if you like their weight and shape, there are a couple of special Preludes to look for:

 

The 1997 Holiday Origonals, "The Snow Pen", getting it in the origonal box is worth the extra cost,

 

And the Sheaffer Prelide for the calligrapher, also worth getting in the origonal packaging.

 

I have both and have used them both as intended. Sheaffer had some great products and was really trying with the Prelude to expand the market for,Fountain Pens by providing a high quality pen at an affordable price.

Edited June 8, 2020 by Parker51

[Arkanabar]

The Sheaffer Preludes that Amberlea Davis lent to me did not suit my taste at all. They were as or more slim as a generic yellow #2 Pencil, and had cutout facets in the section to make it even worse. They had pretty metal flake enamel finishes, but I just did not like to write with them.

[BaronWulfraed]

The Sheaffer Preludes that Amberlea Davis lent to me did not suit my taste at all. They were as or more slim as a generic yellow #2 Pencil, and had cutout facets in the section to make it even worse. They had pretty metal flake enamel finishes, but I just did not like to write with them.

You must have very fat pencils...

 

My gunmetal Prelude has a section whose narrow end is at least 30% wider than a typical wood pencil, and most of the pen is at least 50% wider. I'm also going to make the assumption that you don't like Lamy Safari/Al-Star either, as those have much more noticeable flats for the fingers.

[Ron Z]

When in the Sheaffer service center in 2008, we were told that the same guys who designed the Sonnet left Parker, went to Sheaffer, and designed the Prelude. I think that they got it right the second time. It is a decently made pen. Nice balance, decent nibs (though the earlier USA made nibs are better) and reliable.

[hinky]

I have one and I love it. As Ron Z said, it's very similar to the Parker Sonnet (which I had, but sold due to the drying out issue). The Prelude is a nice affordable alternative to the Sonnet. Comparing their nibs (both steel medium nibs), the Prelude is a lot stiffer than the Sonnet, but both were quite smooth. The grip section is faceted though (not as much as the Lamy Safari, but more than a TWSBI Eco), so keep that in mind.

 

As for the price, I bought mine for the price of a Lamy Safari during a Christmas sale years ago so ymmv.

[max dog]

They are solid reliable writers, nothing to complain about. I have the black one with two tone palladium cap with matching two tone steel nib looks attractive, and the faceted section is not too intrusive. The faceted sections of this and the Safari work with my grip anyway. Sheaffer converters hold a lot of ink too.

[pajaro]

I bought a used red lacquered pen and a used calligraphy set with steel pen. Both are rock solid writers. Stiff nibs and no drying out. Reliable and pleasant.

[jchch1950]

After reading the positive opinions about the Prelude I will add it to my wish pens list.

[Arkanabar]

It's possible that the pens she lent to me were not, in fact, Sheaffer Preludes. They were even skinnier than the Sheaffer Javelin I was lent at the same time. They were too small for the Sheaffer converter that she lent to me at the same time. They just seemed to have a way skinny section, like a Parker Vector. But the Sheaffer Prelude images I see online resemble them.

 

And you are correct that I do not enjoy writing with the Safari, or any of the other pens with that section profile (either by Lamy, or a plethora of Chinese "homages").

Edited June 9, 2020 by Arkanabar

[MadAsAHatter]

Well, I ordered one and received it yesterday. I got the blue with rose gold trim and nib. I inked it up and spent a little time with it earlier today. I have to say I like it. I like that it has a little weight but doesn't feel heavy. My grip doesn't fully fall on the flats of the section but I don't find it uncomfortable. My favorite part is the business end. The nib is so smooth right out the box. Overall I'm really happy I got one. With all the different colors and not costing that much I may end up getting a few more.

[amberleadavis]

It's possible that the pens she lent to me were not, in fact, Sheaffer Preludes. They were even skinnier than the Sheaffer Javelin I was lent at the same time. They were too small for the Sheaffer converter that she lent to me at the same time. They just seemed to have a way skinny section, like a Parker Vector. But the Sheaffer Prelude images I see online resemble them.

 

And you are correct that I do not enjoy writing with the Safari, or any of the other pens with that section profile (either by Lamy, or a plethora of Chinese "homages").

 

I think those were Javelins.

[corniche]

Hi Mad,

 

I have 7 Preludes; perhaps that's to answer your question.

 

- Sean

[Mysterious Mose]

There's the Prelude I and the Prelude II. The Prelude I is vintage. The Prelude II is current, made in Mexico, and you can get it brand new. Which one did you get?

[Arkanabar]

 

I think those were Javelins.

The one you described as a Javelin when you sent them was a coffee-brown demo with a rubber sleeve on the circular cross-section grip (a big no-no IMO). The two you described as Preludes had metallic flake enamel finishes, presumably over brass, and two finger facets on the black plastic sections. I'm not up on current Sheaffer models; are Javelins ever metal, with uncovered faceted sections?

 

This image is very much like the pen you described as a Javelin; I've also seen them in stainless steel (though it looks more like anodized aluminum to me)

 

 

And this is definitely similar (except for finish) to the two described as Preludes:

 

The images ARE huge, but they're not mine.

Edited August 19, 2020 by Arkanabar

[NumberSix]

I have a Prelude with a fine nib. I like it very much, though I wish I had gotten a medium nib. The converter works great. The nib is more EF than F -- and thus great for writing small notes in margins, etc. It's attractive and has a little weight. I would have no trouble recommending it, especially in the $50 price range. (I paid $40 for mine)

 

If you go to Peyton Street Pens, they have some NOS Preludes in nice colors for about $48.

[MadAsAHatter]

There's the Prelude I and the Prelude II. The Prelude I is vintage. The Prelude II is current, made in Mexico, and you can get it brand new. Which one did you get?

 

I'm pretty sure I got the Prelude II since I bought it new. It's blue w/ rose gold trim.

[Mysterious Mose]

Correction: The current model, which I call Prelude II, was made in China, not Mexico.

 

If it came with a box, the inner box would have a label stating where it was made.

 

Note that many of the earlier responses on this thread relate to the vintage model, not the current model.